Write Knights off at your peril: Gagai

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Newcastle fullback Dane Gagai is brimming with confidence after the Knights' first victory of the season, as they shift their focus towards the competition-leading Broncos on Saturday night.

The Knights' 18-16 victory over the Wests Tigers came a week after they almost upset premiership heavyweights the Storm in Melbourne, and former Bronco Gagai warned an upset could be on the cards in Brisbane.

"They're obviously a quality side but we stuck with the Storm a fortnight ago so it shouldn't be any different against the Broncos," Gagai told NRL.com.

"We went down to Melbourne with the mindset we were going to win. While we obviously didn't, we gave them a good run for their money.

"A lot of people are going to write us off but we know what we're capable of and hopefully we can show that against the Broncos."

Newcastle coach Nathan Brown was more cautious in addressing their upcoming opponents, instead offering the Broncos the ultimate compliment.

"If there was a grand final tomorrow it would be Brisbane and the Cowboys, they're the two best teams running around at the moment. There's no doubt about that," Brown said.

"At times Brisbane are probably looking like they're going through the motions a little bit but they're doing it quite well at the minute."

Brown was excited however by the Knights' chance to play in front of a packed Suncorp Stadium crowd, and said any chance of a Newcastle victory would come down to his team embracing a winning mentality.

"Like we did when we went to Melbourne – we have to look at the Broncos as a really good challenge. We have to go up there believing we have a good shot at winning the game," Brown said.

"Obviously Brisbane are in fine form. Though hopefully our blokes can go up there and back themselves to do well.

"We shouldn't go there thinking we're going to lose, we have to head up there with the mindset we can do well. It doesn't mean we will, but that's the mindset we have to have.

"It's a mindset that our younger players and as a club we have to develop. If we can compete hard: whatever comes, comes. We can build off the back of that."

The Knights will be looking to further distance themselves from the bottom of the NRL Telstra Premiership ladder against the Broncos – their fifth away trip in the opening seven weeks of the season.

Newcastle are hopeful of welcoming back Sione Mata'utia (concussion) and Danny Levi (back) at the expense of Jaelen Feeney and NRL debutant Will Pearsall.